“…We would rather put up with anything than put an obstacle in the way of the Good News about Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:12 NLT).
Gulp.
I don’t know about you, but the word anything conjurs up a whole heap of a lot of things I might have to put up with as I strive to spread God’s love to the world in which I live.
Things that might make me uncomfortable.
Things that might make me look less than stellar.
Things that might get my hands dirty.
Things that are completely out of the norm for me.
Things that might cause my Christian brothers and sisters to look down their noses at me.
Things that are outside tradition.
Things that are God-inspired and not planned in my head.
Does my statement of faith involve Paul’s challenge? Am I willing to tolerate, put up with, push aside my discomfort? Does getting the Gospel to the unknowing stir my soul enough to do what ever it takes–and put up with anything in order to do it?
That’s a lot to swallow this morning.
Malinda Edgell
Illinois
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for children in your community who are unchurched. Now is a great time to invite them to come, since they are getting back into the routine of school.
